Fin's Fish Guide
The Blue stargazer (Pleuroscopus pseudodorsalis) is a saltwater fish of the family Uranoscopidae that grows up to 33 cm.
Description
The false stargazer is a stargazer (Uranoscopidae) from the deep, cool waters of the southern hemisphere. The species has a stocky body with a large, upward-directed mouth and eyes on top of the flattened head, characteristic of stargazers that bury themselves and peer upward. It lives bottom-dwelling and is usually caught with trawls at 200 to 800 m depth. As an ambush hunter it springs on passing fishes and crustaceans. Like other stargazers it bears venomous shoulder spines; a sting is painful.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Blue stargazer?
The Blue stargazer has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Buries itself and peers upward; deep-water stargazer with venomous shoulder spines.
Where does the Blue stargazer live?
The Blue stargazer lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Deep, cool waters of the southern hemisphere; bottom-dwelling.
How big does the Blue stargazer get?
The Blue stargazer grows to a maximum of about 33 cm.
Is the Blue stargazer dangerous to humans?
No, the Blue stargazer is harmless to humans. The fin spines are venomous and give a painful, burning puncture wound. Immerse the wound for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C) and seek medical care if pain or infection persists.
Is the Blue stargazer edible?
The Blue stargazer is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
More from the family Uranoscopidae
Want the complete picture on the Blue stargazer?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Blue stargazer is one of 12,519 species in the app.